Paperback

Temporarily Out of Stock Online

Overview

Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow by Nathan Bransford

Out-of-this-world antics in this hysterical middle-grade adventure!

Sixth-grader Jacob Wonderbar is a master when it comes to disarming and annihilating substitute teachers. But when he and his best friends, Sarah and Dexter, swap a spaceship for a corn dog, they embark on an outer space adventure. And between breaking the universe with an epic explosion, being kidnapped by a space pirate, and surviving a planet that reeks of burp breath, Jacob and his friends are in way over their heads. Action packed with an added dose of heart, Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow is sure to captivate middlegrade readers all over the universe.

Product Details

About the Author

Nathan Bransford is the author of How to Write a Novel, Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow, Jacob Wonderbar for President of the Universe and Jacob Wonderbar and the Interstellar Time Warp. He was formerly a literary agent with Curtis Brown Ltd. and now works in finance. He lives in Brooklyn.

Editorial Reviews

“fast-paced and hilarious” — Booklist

“There’s plenty of set-up for future volumes; fans will hope they won’t have to wait long.” — Kirkus

“A thoughtful adventure that will leave readers contemplating both the outer and inner workings of the universe.” — Bulletin of the Center for Childrens Books

“Loaded with laughs, imagination…a highly original novel that’s certain to appeal to reluctant and avid readers alike.” — The Repository

From the Publisher

Bransford's debut is a by-the-numbers space adventure that mixes occasionally fresh zaniness with mostly familiar tropes. Sixth-grader Jacob Wonderbar is constantly getting in trouble, torturing substitute teachers with the (often unwilling) help of his best friend, nebbishy Dexter Goldstein. Their friend Sarah Daisy avoids trouble by virtue of being pretty, much to her consternation. When the three friends encounter an alien who offers to sell his spaceship for a corndog, they quickly accept, and soon find that they've destroyed the only route back to Earth (the titular "kapow"). Their adventures in space include encounters with a preteen pirate, a world where each day lasts a minute, and a world populated by substitute teachers. The goofiness is amusing if generally predictable, but Bransford does include some interesting character development late in the game (after he's played with unfortunate female and Jewish stereotypes, alas). The deus ex machina ending both resolves the plot and lays the groundwork for a sequel. Jennings contributes freewheeling b&w cartoons in keeping with the story's overall tone. Ages 9–up. (May)

Publishers Weekly

“fast-paced and hilarious”

Booklist

“A thoughtful adventure that will leave readers contemplating both the outer and inner workings of the universe.”

Gr 4–6—When an interstellar visitor trades his spaceship for a corn dog, three kids zoom off for a series of amusing adventures beyond the solar system. They encounter goofy space cops, a bratty space pirate, and many other odd characters as they jump from planet to planet onboard talking spaceships. The quirky setting provides opportunities for playful humor, which sometimes falls flat but mostly hits the mark. On a planet that rotates once per minute, for example, inhabitants take naps every 30 seconds, making conversation challenging. There are enough good lines to keep smiles coming fairly frequently, and the consistently sardonic narrative voice keeps the tone appropriately lighthearted. However, character development is sketchy, and shifts to emotional issues involving Jacob's missing father and spats between the friends are generally unconvincing. The many chase scenes, narrow escapes, and acts of bravery are more comical than suspenseful, but usually not quite funny enough to be engaging. Appropriately cartoonish black-and-white illustrations are sprinkled throughout and these, along with the short chapters and brisk pace, add some appeal for readers in search of light, undemanding science fiction.—Steven Engelfried, Wilsonville Public Library, OR

School Library Journal

Bransford's debut and the first of a series is an outer-space comedy of errors.

Sixth-grader Jacob Wonderbar is the bane of substitute teachers everywhere. When witchy Mrs. Pinkerton tries to get the class under control and somehow her precious mug is shattered, a sprinkler is triggered and the whole class erupts in screams...Jacob gets the blame and his mother has to pick him up. That night, commiserating with his best friends, Sarah and Dexter, they investigate a strange noise in the forest—and a man in silver offers them a spaceship in exchange for a corndog. Next thing the trio knows, they are taking a tour of the solar system aboard Lucy, an opinionated if slightly bored spaceship. Then there's a little accident that may involve the breaking of the universe. A space pirate, the eating of dirt, the universe's largest carbon allotrope and a snooty space princess all complicate the trip home...which Jacob isn't sure he wants to make. It's the Saturday-morning-cartoon version of Hitchhiker's Guide even if the laughs aren't quite so fast and furious (and some of them are a bit of a stretch).

There's plenty of set-up for future volumes; fans will hope they won't have to wait long. (Science fiction/humor. 9-12)

Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

Jacob Wonderbar and the Cosmic Space Kapow 4.2 out of 5based on
0 ratings.
5 reviews.

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

HEADBANGING GOOD

trayvianjames

More than 1 year ago

I'm a big fan of YA fiction, but I don't normally read Middle Grade fiction. However, I really, really enjoyed Jacob Wonderbar. The pace was fast, but not at the expense of the characters. I loved how action-packed it was, but at the same time I got to know the characters and I really rooted for them to get home. I loved the humor, especially the planet of substitute teachers, and I felt like the characters had a quite a bit of depth (which is no easy feat in a novel meant for young readers).
I will definitely pick up the second book in the series, and I look forward to sharing Jacob Wonderbar with my daughter (currently 8 months old).

Anonymous

More than 1 year ago

blulapis

More than 1 year ago

Loved this book! I think both boys and girls will enjoy this one. It's fast paced and there are some very funny parts, things that I remembered and chuckled about after I finished the book. It's loosely similar to a Hitchhiker's Guide to the Galaxy, although not really. It has its own twists and surprises, and it targets a different age group. I thought it was imaginative, with images and events that would appeal to kids.
There are three main characters, and they all have their own stories and character development. Although light-hearted, there are some important themes underweaving the narrative - how to become brave; how to deal with your anger; how to deal with sadness at feeling rejected and missing someone. I really liked that there was a strong female character here, but there was also a male character who was stuggling with not being assertive - a nice balance to the more assertive, confident main character. Then all the storylines come together, helping the reader feel the importance of friendship. I found that to be heartwarming.
I was impressed and I recommend this as a good book for kids who want a fun adventure book. As an adult who enjoys kid's literature, I'm very much looking forward to the sequel.

SmartBlondBookish

More than 1 year ago

Okay, so I know I'll take a beating for this, but I dished out my hard earned cash because of all the hype surrounding this book. I had hopes it would be a story to read with my ADD son, but this book seemed like it was taken in little pieces from about twenty other books. Nothing was new (some of the stereotyping was a little offensive) and I came away with no WOW moments. Most disappointing was that my son was bored. Not a lot of KAPOW happening. On the good side, the book is much better edited than most of what we read together. It felt very professional. I wish there had been more story to the story. It did give me a few ideas for bedtime stories, so I guess there's that.

"A daring romp through the solar system and a worthy successor to 2001."*Carl SaganNine years
after the disastrous Discovery mission to Jupiter in 2001, a joint U.S.-Soviet expedition sets out to rendezvous with the derelict spacecraft *to search the memory ...

One thousand years after the Jupiter mission to explore the mysterious Monolith had been destroyed,
after Dave Bowman was transformed into the Star Child, Frank Poole drifted in space, frozen and forgotten, leaving the supercomputer HAL inoperable. But now Poole ...

A Python Primer for ArcGIS® Workbook III (3 of 3) The automation of geoprocessing tasks
is a common practice among GIS professionals. Python is the standard programming language for ArcGIS and other fields such as remote sensing, GPS, spatial modeling, ...

In a study that challenges familiar Western modes of thought, Jacob K. Olupona focuses on
one of the most important religious centers in Africa and in the world: the Yorùbá city of Ilé-Ifè in southwest Nigeria. The spread of Yorùbá ...

Covert operatives are disappearing, and nobody knows why.But Olesya will put everything on the line
to find out. After narrowly escaping a subway explosion she was assigned to prevent, she is too late to stop unknown assailants kidnapping her best ...

For Project GATE recruits, success is everything, failure is death.After Marina washes out of training,
she’s sent for termination. But when a rebellion rises, she escapes to join Olesya on the icy coast of the Baltic Sea. Here, she finds ...

From New York Times and USA Today bestselling author Mara Jacobs comes book 2 in
the New Adult & College romance Freshman Roommates Trilogy. IN TOO FAST is a complete novel of 67,000 words.I spent my whole life trying to ...

Introduction Fifth grade is the best for Jennifer, Rebecca, Pamela and Sammie. Their teacher, Mrs.
Fern, is as sweet as pie, the boys are extra cute this year, and, between the girls, the glitter supply is strong. The girls use ...